NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings' all-rounder Liam Livingstone has made the decision to depart from the ongoing IPL and return to England to undergo knee recuperation in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup next month.
Joining Livingstone in leaving the IPL are Jos Buttler from Rajasthan Royals, as well as Will Jacks and Reece Topley from Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They will be joining the England squad ahead of the T20I series against Pakistan, commencing on May 22.
The Punjab Kings, already eliminated from this IPL season after securing just four wins from 12 matches, find themselves at the bottom of the table with eight points.
"IPL done for another year, had to get my knee sorted for the upcoming World Cup,” Livingstone wrote on his Instagram wall.
“Thanks once again to the Punjab Kings fans for all their love and support. Disappointing season as a team and personally, but as always, I loved every minute of playing in the IPL,” he added.
Hence, Livingstone will not be available for PBKS' last two matches of the tournament against Rajasthan Royals (May 15) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (May 19).
The injury is not of serious nature but the England management, as per ESPNcricinfo, decided to give him more time to get it treated prior to their home T20I series against Pakistan.
Following the T20I series against Pakistan, the defending champions, England, will proceed to the West Indies for their T20 World Cup campaign, commencing on June 4 with a match against Scotland in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Livingstone had a subdued IPL season this year, managing to score 111 runs from seven matches and taking only three wickets.
Meanwhile, other England players participating in the IPL, who are part of the World Cup squad – including Moeen Ali (CSK), Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow (PBKS), and Phil Salt (KKR) – will soon be heading back home.
(With PTI inputs)
